Struggle with T-Mobile Signal Strength and Blackberries

**lbsigman** · 02-14-2011, 09:02 PM

I'm not here to bash T-Mobile and/or Blackberries as I have been trying for he past 6 months with the help of T-Mobile to see what the deal is. As mentioned, for the past 6 months my Blackberries (9700 now 9780) hardly ever see the 3G network despite the daily battery pulls, OS updates, OS leak testing, and even being sent numerous blackberries to see if it's device dependent. My issue has been escalated to CS reps that go into my account to see my callig history, my previous locations, and they even had someone go out and check the towers. Lets not forget about SIM card swaps too. I'm a year into my contract and a CS rep allowed me to switch to the MyTouch 4G and I did notice much better signal, incredibly fast Internet browsing, however I just couldn't get use to Android; I suppose I was spoiled with my iPod touch.

So after a week of playing with he mytouch, I sent it back and opted to try he Bold 9780 and now I'm back to where I was signal wise where it just craps out from 3G, to EDGE, to GPRS, GSM, and then to "searching for network". I can't take this anymore and where I live, I "should" have strong 3G; my Zip code is 90808 (Long Beach, CA). After having his 9780 for a few weeks, I got a 603 white screen error last weekend and now it's resetting with the 603 error every few days. Sorry for venting, but has anybody gone through as much of a headache as I have for the past 6 months? Looks like I need to escalate this to a "retentions" department if there is such a thing....is there???

**oldtimeBBaddict** · 02-14-2011, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by lbsigman

I'm not here to bash T-Mobile and/or Blackberries as I have been trying for he past 6 months with the help of T-Mobile to see what the deal is. As mentioned, for the past 6 months my Blackberries (9700 now 9780) hardly ever see the 3G network despite the daily battery pulls, OS updates, OS leak testing, and even being sent numerous blackberries to see if it's device dependent. My issue has been escalated to CS reps that go into my account to see my callig history, my previous locations, and they even had someone go out and check the towers. Lets not forget about SIM card swaps too. I'm a year into my contract and a CS rep allowed me to switch to the MyTouch 4G and I did notice much better signal, incredibly fast Internet browsing, however I just couldn't get use to Android; I suppose I was spoiled with my iPod touch.

So after a week of playing with he mytouch, I sent it back and opted to try he Bold 9780 and now I'm back to where I was signal wise where it just craps out from 3G, to EDGE, to GPRS, GSM, and then to "searching for network". I can't take this anymore and where I live, I "should" have strong 3G; my Zip code is 90808 (Long Beach, CA). After having his 9780 for a few weeks, I got a 603 white screen error last weekend and now it's resetting with the 603 error every few days. Sorry for venting, but has anybody gone through as much of a headache as I have for the past 6 months? Looks like I need to escalate this to a "retentions" department if there is such a thing....is there???

Yes there is a retentions (or loyalty) department. The 603 error seems to be app related. Have you recently added or changed any apps? Also, what outcome are you looking for?

**Shonrisse** · 02-14-2011, 10:57 PM

I've been having the same issues with the 9700. I got a new phone, and a new SIM and my signal is still constantly going out except it will still show bars. I've had this phone since August and these issues have just started within the last couple months. At first, I loved it. But now it's really annoying. I've already gotten a new phone replcement from them and a new SIM and it has solved nothing. I'm ready for a completely different phone. if they would send me a My Touch 4g, that would be awesome. Now that I'm seeing that it isn't just me, and it's a huge problem with Tmo and their service, I'm ready for a different phone instead of a BB replacement.

**lbsigman** · 02-15-2011, 01:49 AM

Originally Posted by oldtimeBBaddict

Yes there is a retentions (or loyalty) department. The 603 error seems to be app related. Have you recently added or changed any apps? Also, what outcome are you looking for?

I haven't installed any apps other than what it came with, but I seem to get it when I was trying to run Telenav Navigation. At this point, I think I'm going to see if they'll let me go month to month until the 4G iPhone is released on Verizon then jump ship. I just want a phone that works and T-Mobile isn't delivering. I was just curious to see if anybody else has experienced the same issues I have. I will give T-Mobile credit with their CS reps; they all have been very helpful and polite.

**JtW84** · 02-15-2011, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by lbsigman

I haven't installed any apps other than what it came with, but I seem to get it when I was trying to run Telenav Navigation. At this point, I think I'm going to see if they'll let me go month to month until the 4G iPhone is released on Verizon then jump ship. I just want a phone that works and T-Mobile isn't delivering. I was just curious to see if anybody else has experienced the same issues I have. I will give T-Mobile credit with their CS reps; they all have been very helpful and polite.

--
I have been having very similar issues. Until the last year or so, I have always had really good coverage. I have had more and more issues ever since my purchase of the Bold 9700 (about a year ago). I bought the 9780 for a "full discount" only after so many replacements and service calls for the 9700. The 9780 is definitely better. However I would contribute most, if not all of its improvements to BlackBerry 6.

I hypothesize most of the coverage issues T-mobile is have can be directly linked to its new "4G" network.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**Italiannyc** · 02-15-2011, 08:12 PM

If your in your house and have wifi at the time, just use that while your home. My phone automatically connects to my wifi when i walk into the door and always have perfect service because of it.

**lbsigman** · 02-15-2011, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by Italiannyc

If your in your house and have wifi at the time, just use that while your home. My phone automatically connects to my wifi when i walk into the door and always have perfect service because of it.

I do have mine tied into my wifi network. This would be perfect if I never left the house.

**wolfgaze** · 02-15-2011, 10:14 PM

Do you have friends/families/coworkers who have 3G capable phones in your area with T-Mobile? Poll them and see what kind of coverage/reception they are getting.... I would have to doubt it's linked to the phone itself...

**Shonrisse** · 02-15-2011, 10:38 PM

Everyone around me has Tmobile phones and they never seem to have the same issues as me.

**lbsigman** · 02-16-2011, 11:30 AM

No one that I know have T-mobile so I don't have anything I can compare to.

**wolfgaze** · 02-16-2011, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by lbsigman

No one that I know have T-mobile so I don't have anything I can compare to.

What about coworkers? T-Mobile is a huge company, if they're supposed to have good coverage/service in your region, I would have to imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to find people using T-Mobile service...

**girlwith5bars** · 02-17-2011, 05:12 PM

I'm also with t mobile and for years, my coverage signal was up and down. somedays good, somedays bad. when i moved to california, it got worse.
i decided i was going to switch over to verizon instead. when i called customer loyalty with the intention of canceling my contract, they offered to send me a cell booster when i told them my main problem was the lack of coverage i was getting at my house. going outside to talk on the phone doesn't fly with me. anyway, i figured i'd give this cell booster a shot. i got it within a week and
surprisingly, i have zero complaints. this thing is awesome. i get full service all over my house, full signal at that and haven't dropped a call since.
t mobile doesn't advertise this product at all [i think its called the cel fi to be exact] but it totally works and i feel like if they talked about it, they'd have more satisfied customers [like myself].
heres the customer loyalty number i called: 877.724.4659, for those interested. no point in shelling out $200+ to cancel your service when they send you this thing for free and the coverage your coverage is just as good as any other carrier, if not better!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**lbsigman** · 02-17-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by girlwith5bars

I'm also with t mobile and for years, my coverage signal was up and down. somedays good, somedays bad. when i moved to california, it got worse.
i decided i was going to switch over to verizon instead. when i called customer loyalty with the intention of canceling my contract, they offered to send me a cell booster when i told them my main problem was the lack of coverage i was getting at my house. going outside to talk on the phone doesn't fly with me. anyway, i figured i'd give this cell booster a shot. i got it within a week and
surprisingly, i have zero complaints. this thing is awesome. i get full service all over my house, full signal at that and haven't dropped a call since.
t mobile doesn't advertise this product at all [i think its called the cel fi to be exact] but it totally works and i feel like if they talked about it, they'd have more satisfied customers [like myself].
heres the customer loyalty number i called: 877.724.4659, for those interested. no point in shelling out $200+ to cancel your service when they send you this thing for free and the coverage your coverage is just as good as any other carrier, if not better!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

This would be fine and dandy if I didn't leave my house at all. I use UMA so that mini tower does nothing for me. It's when I leave my house is when I have signal issues.

**BoldtotheMax** · 02-18-2011, 12:37 AM

I have a 9700 and wife has a mytouch3G and now a LG Optimus and both our phones do the same thing, sometimes her's connects before mine to 3G, but we are talking seconds.

Maybe they have been working on a tower in your area with the new HSPA...If so, could attribute to a lot of issues, but shouldn't take that long...

Good luck

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**48593039584729** · 02-18-2011, 02:08 PM

The "4G" network is just an extension of the 3G network. It's not the reason why Blackberries have trouble with handing off calls to GSM or staying on 3G. They just don't play well with T-Mobile's network. If you switch to a different phone and notice markedly better reception it's very easy to rule out T-Mobile as the root cause.

**lbsigman** · 02-18-2011, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by 48593039584729

The "4G" network is just an extension of the 3G network. It's not the reason why Blackberries have trouble with handing off calls to GSM or staying on 3G. They just don't play well with T-Mobile's network. If you switch to a different phone and notice markedly better reception it's very easy to rule out T-Mobile as the root cause.

My Girlfriend has a Verizon Tour and it NEVER has any issues and ALWAYS has full signal strength. Do you have any info on the part I bolded? I'm curious to find out. Here are 2 threads on T-Mobile's web forum in which 2 other people have experienced the same issues as I have:

Re: 9700 dropped calls, signal loss, bbm wait time... - T-Mobile Community

Blackberry 9700 dropped calls - T-Mobile Community

I continue to have issues. Last night while driving around, my phone went to "SOS" mode a few times in an area that is bright green for 3G signal strength on T-Mobile's map. I've currently filed a claim with the FCC, the BBB, and will forward my letter of dissatisfaction I wrote to T-Mobile to the California and Washington State Attorney General along with the State of Washington Transportation & Public Utilities Commission. I'm done palying games with T-Mobile.

**48593039584729** · 02-20-2011, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by lbsigman

My Girlfriend has a Verizon Tour and it NEVER has any issues and ALWAYS has full signal strength. Do you have any info on the part I bolded? I'm curious to find out. Here are 2 threads on T-Mobile's web forum in which 2 other people have experienced the same issues as I have:

Re: 9700 dropped calls, signal loss, bbm wait time... - T-Mobile Community

Blackberry 9700 dropped calls - T-Mobile Community

I continue to have issues. Last night while driving around, my phone went to "SOS" mode a few times in an area that is bright green for 3G signal strength on T-Mobile's map. I've currently filed a claim with the FCC, the BBB, and will forward my letter of dissatisfaction I wrote to T-Mobile to the California and Washington State Attorney General along with the State of Washington Transportation & Public Utilities Commission. I'm done palying games with T-Mobile.

CDMA blackberries use different radios and more importantly are completely different technologies.

That said the Tour has also had it's fair share of complaints about erratic signal.

T-Mobile's green map refers to overall signal strength and is usually only speaking really about EDGE/GSM. Disable 3G (2G networks only) in the Mobile Networks menu and see if your service doesn't become more stable.